The Night Whale - by Bryher MacKenzie (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Nana speaks of astronomy often, telling fantastical tales from many moons ago, tales her granddaughter wonders at. Tonight, with hot chocolate and constellations for company, they wait. Moonbeams bounce off the crashing waves, and, at last, Nana's old friend appears in the sky: the Night Whale, swimming among the stars. Nana and the child climb onto the Night Whale's back, and she whisks them off-over twinkling cities, through the shimmering colors of the northern lights, and back again. But this is only the beginning of the journey for Nana. As she embraces her grandchild, she promises she will always be out there. Even when Nana and the Night Whale soar back toward the ether, leaving the child behind, she can still feel her grandmother's love and hear the Night Whale whispering, "Anything is possible." Debut author Bryher Mackenzie and illustrator Gillian Eilidh O'Mara craft a magical voyage through the heavens that reassures young readers that goodbye is not the end"--

Book Synopsis

For daydreamers and the young at heart, this stunningly illustrated journey through a star-encrusted sky captures the beauty of our world--and of bonds that cannot be broken by any kind of distance.

Nana speaks of astronomy often, telling fantastical tales from many moons ago, tales her granddaughter wonders at. Tonight, with hot chocolate and constellations for company, they wait. Moonbeams bounce off the crashing waves, and, at last, Nana's old friend appears in the sky: the Night Whale, swimming among the stars. Nana and the child climb onto the Night Whale's back, and she whisks them off--over twinkling cities, through the shimmering colors of the northern lights, and back again. But this is only the beginning of the journey for Nana. As she embraces her grandchild, she promises she will always be out there. Even when Nana and the Night Whale soar back toward the ether, leaving the child behind, she can still feel her grandmother's love and hear the Night Whale whispering, "Anything is possible." Debut author Bryher Mackenzie and illustrator Gillan Eilidh O'Mara craft a magical voyage through the heavens that reassures young readers that goodbye is not the end.

Review Quotes

A tender affirmation of intergenerational bonds, echoed in a fine-tuned union between words and images.
--Kirkus Reviews

Nestled in the pages between its poetry and inspired art is a highly recommended book that readers of all ages will love.
--School Library Journal (starred reviewed)

About the Author

Bryher Mackenzie is a collector of words: panache is their favorite. The Night Whale is their debut picture book. When they are not dreaming of night whales that swim among stars, they can usually be found where picture books are. Bryher Mackenzie lives in the UK.

Gillian Eilidh O'Mara was born and raised in Scotland. A self-taught artist, she also cofounded and grew several social ventures, including a poetry festival, children's literacy projects, charity building projects in India, and a fine tea company supporting girls' education. Gillian Eilidh O'Mara lives with her two daughters and an assortment of animals in what used to be stables but is now the site of an intergenerational community.